Tändsticksmuseet i Jönköping - en engagerande historia

The Matchstick Museum in Jönköping tells the story of a time of child labour and terrible working conditions, but also of Ivar Kreuger's fascinating matchstick empire that conquered the world before it collapsed. If you visit Jönköping - don't miss the captivating Match Museum!

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Matchstick Museum in Jönköping

The Match Museum in Jönköping tells not only about the manufacturing process, but above all about the people. It follows the children and women who were poisoned and often died in severe pain, but also the brothers who built the factory, the financier Ivar Kreuger who was finally found dead with a gun next to his body, and many others.

Tändsticksmuseet is located in the Tändstick area, west of the railway station in Jönköping, just off the southern shore of Lake Vättern.

A dangerous job - done by women and children

Jönköping began manufacturing matches in the 1840s. In order to maximise profits, they wanted to keep production costs down. It was cheapest to employ children, so many children worked in the factory. The children worked ten hours a day, six days a week.

Matchboxes could be made at home, by both women and children. Matches, on the other hand, were made in the factory. Initially, the matches were dipped in phosphorus. The women and children, who spent their days bent over the poison, often suffered from phosphorus necrosis. This terrible disease began with toothache and inflammation. Later, the teeth fell out, the jawbones loosened and many died. Others survived but were disfigured for life.

Mechanisation and matchstick empire

Over time, production became increasingly mechanised. A "safety match" was developed (which did not ignite without warning in a trouser pocket) and the world began to be conquered.

The match king Ivar Kreuger - rise and fall

Ivar Kreuger, who became known as the 'Match King', built an international match empire with a monopoly on factories all over the world. Around 1930, STAB (Svenska Tändsticksaktiebolaget) controlled 60-70 per cent of the world's match production.

Kreuger was an admired and respected financier in his day, obtaining huge loans and investing heavily on the international stage. The most visible evidence of his success is the so-called 'Tändstickspalatset' in Stockholm, built between 1926 and 1928.

After the 1929 New York stock market crash and the subsequent depression, everything changed. Kreuger was found dead on 12 March 1932 in his Paris apartment, with a firearm next to him.

The official explanation was that he had committed suicide, and it is quite possible that the tight financial situation led him to this drastic decision. However, it has not been proven that it was indeed a suicide, and an alternative explanation could be that he was murdered by one of his enemies in the financial world.

The so-called 'Kreuger crash' shook the world's finances and match workers faced redundancies or wage cuts.

Matchstick labels - and the concept of 'Made in Sweden'

The yellow 'original label' from Tändsticksfabriken in Jönköping is one of the world's most famous plagiarised trademarks. Around the world, expressions such as 'light only against the box's floor' (although it became 'light only against the barn's floor') and 'Made in Sweden' were used. In Columbia, an entrepreneur named his factory 'Sweden' so that he could write 'Made in Sweden' on the labels with a clear conscience. Over time, many new and different labels were made for sale around the world.

Visiting the Matchstick Museum in Jököping

We found the visit to the Matchstick Museum very interesting. We were particularly moved by the terrible labour situation that many people had in Sweden not too long ago. It is so easy to complain about countries where there is child labour and poor working conditions today, but it is not too long ago that we were in the same situation in Sweden.

The match area

The Matchstick Museum is located in the so-called Matchstick Area. It houses a whole series of buildings that once belonged to the great empire. Outside the museum you will find a small letterbox where you can pick up an information leaflet about the area and a walking map. The buildings once housed factories, workshops, laboratories and offices. Nowadays you can find restaurants and small shops here.

More things to see and do near the Matchstick Museum

I Jönköping you can visit the beautiful Sofia Church and the beautiful city park with its open-air museum and animals. It is also interesting to visit Husqvarna museum in Huskvarna or make a visit to Gränna, where you can learn about the production of candy canes and the Andree expedition. From here you can also take a ferry across to the beautiful and cosy Visingsö.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

Facts about the Matchstick Museum in Jönköping

Address: Tändsticksgränd 27, Jönköping
Location: The matchstick area, west of the railway station in Jönköping.
Read more: You can find more information at the museum's website.

Tours and activities

Exhibitions: The Lundström brothers' match factory, Lena - a woman's fate, the work of the hand and the matchmaker's house, engineer Alexander Lagerman, Bernard Hay - an industrialist, the match printer, Satsmästare Wahlbom's workplace, Ivar Kreuger, the match king, and temporary art exhibitions under the collective name "Made in Sweden".
Guided tours for groups: Under normal circumstances (not during the pandemic) tours for groups can be booked.
Activities for children: Tasks to solve and try your hand at making your own matchbox.
School programmes: Lessons can be organised for school groups.

Services and practical information

Opening hours: During the summer, the museum is open every day (Mon-Fri 10-17 and Sat-Sun 10-15). During the rest of the year, the museum is open Tues-Sun 11-15 (2021). Please note that it is closed on public holidays and opening hours may vary. See the museum's website for current opening hours.
Prices: Adults 80 SEK and children up to 19 years old free.
Shop: There is a museum shop with gift items.

Accessibility

Indoor environment: The museum entrance is at ground level, with a 3 cm high threshold. The upper floor is accessed via stairs or a stair lift (0.78 x 1.0 m) that can be loaded with up to 200 kg. An extra wheelchair is available to borrow if the permobile is too big.
Toilets: There is a large toilet on the ground floor and smaller toilets upstairs.
Guide dog: Guide dogs are allowed (other dogs are not allowed).
Outdoor environment: The area is car-free. A hotel is being built next to the Matchstick Museum (2021), which may cause some restrictions on access.
Parking: At the railway station (1 hour) or June car park (long term).

History of the match factory

1848-1849: The brothers Carl and Frans Lundström built the first match factory on the banks of Lake Vättern.
1863: Bernard Hay took over as manager and led the company until 1898.
1870: The engineer Alexander Lagerman was hired, and production became increasingly mechanised.
1870-1880: The match factory experienced its heyday. The factory area was expanded to include the disused Hospital.
1873-1879: Housing was built for the workers in Väster.
1890: The workers at the match factory went on strike.
1903: Jönköping & Vulcans Tändsticksfabriker was formed through a merger.
1917: Svenska Tändsticksbolaget STAB was formed, led by the 'Match King' Ivar Krueger, who sought to create a global match monopoly.
1932: The world depression and the Krueger crash affected the entire match industry.
1940: The Jönköping factory stopped producing matches.
1975: Jönköping municipality took over the Tändstick area.

READ MORE: Holidays in Sweden - your guide to Sweden's best destinations
READ MORE: Things to do in Småland - tips, sights and experiences

11 Comments

Add yours →

diana's dreams says:

Interesting to know some more hugs

12 May 2021 - 8:15

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad it was appreciated! Wishing you a nice week and weekend, hugs!
  
  12 May 2021 - 19:48
  
Ditte says:

What an exciting and interesting visit. I have been here many years ago but realised that a lot has been lost from memory.
Many thanks!
I was invited to Tändstickspalatset in Stockholm a couple of years ago and it was a really fun and interesting visit.

12 May 2021 - 8:40

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, that's right! The blog helps us to remember a little more, but you forget with time. Nice that you have been to the Matchbox Palace! We were there at some event a while ago (then we took the photo in the post).
  
  12 May 2021 - 19:49
  
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

I've been here but it's probably 40 years ago so I don't remember much. I think I was there on a school trip. I was thinking of doing some tourism in Småland this summer so I'll probably try to bring my family here for a visit then. In my childhood town of Vetlanda there is one of Sweden's two remaining match factories and I know many people who worked there so it's a little extra interesting.

12 May 2021 - 9:16

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Understand that the memory fails a little!!! Can think that the museum has changed a bit too, maybe? We thought the visit here was very interesting, a return visit is recommended! 🙂
  
  12 May 2021 - 19:52
  
Goatfish says:

I have been here at Tändsticksfabriken not too long ago.
Very interesting but also touching story.
Jönköping is a very beautiful city.

12 May 2021 - 12:24

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Isn't it interesting, and isn't it touching? Yes, we also saw many nice parts of Jönköping. Coming soon more on the blog! 🙂
  
  12 May 2021 - 19:52
  
BP says:

Another really interesting and informative post. So much you don't know, but I've said that before;-)
Have mostly been in Jönköping at the Elmia fair as an exhibitor, but never visited the Matchbox Museum, but I have done that now;-)

12 May 2021 - 20:30

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Have a nice reunion!
After my visit to the museum in Huskvarna a few years ago, I visited the matchstick museum in Jönköping. We seem to have had the same thoughts.

14 May 2021 - 12:08

Lena - good for the soul says:

Very interesting! I had heard about the Krüger empire, the Krüger crash and his death, but this child labour was new to me. Terrible! And as I said, not too long ago.

Hug Lena

17 May 2021 - 5:52

The Matchstick Museum in Jönköping - an engaging story

Matchstick Museum in Jönköping

A dangerous job - done by women and children

Mechanisation and matchstick empire

The match king Ivar Kreuger - rise and fall

Matchstick labels - and the concept of 'Made in Sweden'

Visiting the Matchstick Museum in Jököping

The match area

More things to see and do near the Matchstick Museum

Facts about the Matchstick Museum in Jönköping

Tours and activities

Services and practical information

Accessibility

History of the match factory

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11 Comments

diana's dreams says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Goatfish says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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